Students with a passion for fashion have a unique opportunity each year to participate in the Textiles and Clothing Fashion Show. This year’s theme, “Reflect,” is meant to pay homage to the 25th anniversary of the show. Designers aren’t the only ones who get to showcase their skills at the event, however. Models also have to be at their best to make the student-run show a success. Here are some tips from models on how to break into the industry.

Preparing for a modeling audition

Laurel Krause, sophomore in biology, has had her share of experience in the field. She has modeled in the Sage Tree hair and fashion show in addition to appearing in several commercials. Krause also worked as an extra on the film “The Final Season,” which was shot in Iowa and will be released later this year.

“The hardest part of a modeling audition for me is walking in heels without looking like a bumbling cavewoman,” Krause said. “They usually like to see models walk to catchy music wearing stilettos that are five inches high, so I put on my one and only pair and practice strutting up and down the hallway in my house.”

What to wear and bring

Rod Rivera, senior in mechanical engineering, said he hasn’t had much modeling experience, but he has picked up some ideas from previous work for a hair and fashion show. He said people should always dress well for an audition, preferably in something close to the clothes they will be modeling.

“Do your hair nicely,” he said. “This is a show about looking good. Girls, always bring heels. If you have modeling photos, those are good to bring too.”

Krause said along with wearing her heels to an audition, she usually wears flattering jeans, a solid-colored and nicely cut shirt, a trendy scarf and jewelry.

Myron Batsa, senior in advertising, said one thing he always brings to auditions is an index-sized card with a professional photo on the front with his measurements on the back.

“There may be two or three more pictures on the back, but they’ll take pictures of you while you’re there,” he said.

Instead of a resume, models should prepare a portfolio of photo shoots in which they have participated, although Batsa said the portfolio contents will be different for every industry.

Walking the walk

Although the models make walking the runway look effortless, Krause said there are a few more tricks to strutting down a catwalk than most people realize.

“First of all, you want to keep your hands and arms as motionless as possible at your sides – no swinging allowed,” she said. “Then, you want to have your butt swish back and forth, so shake what your mama gave you – just don’t knock anyone out with your hips.”

Krause said if this is difficult, models should pick up their feet more without trotting down the runway. However, the walk is really all about the attitude.

“Have a look of attitude on your face that says, ‘I have a secret, but I’m not going to tell you what it is,’ but stay away from a full-teeth smile,” Krause said. “Make sure to walk to the beat of the music, no matter how fast or slow it is, and you’re well on your way.”

Rivera said in addition to practicing the walk, watching videos of professional models also helps.

“Study the different types of walks of different types of shows,” he said. “Also, doing something different than the others will make you stand out, which is key.”

What casting directors can expect

Batsa said casting directors pay closer attention to a person’s physical appearance when casting a runway show as opposed to a photo shoot.

“Posing for pictures is really hard,” he said, “but for runway work, it’s pretty cut-and-dried. They want a certain height, a certain look and that’s it.”

Although directors look at a person’s height and other statistics, they also take notice of models’ personalities.

“It’s something that shows through in the pictures when you take pictures,” he said. “They will take a person who may or may not look like the picture-perfect model if you have a good personality and are easy to work with and have a willingness to take direction.”

Batsa said directors also look for confidence.

“Expect to answer all sorts of questions,” he said. “They want to see how open you are with taking pictures and how comfortable you are with your body, comfortable with being who you are. It’s really hard sometimes.”

Breaking the stereotype

Although it may seem like all models may have to fit a stereotype, Krause said that’s not true.

“To model on a local level, you do not need to be 5-feet-10-inches and weigh 120 pounds. I’m only 5-feet-8-inches, and I weigh a lot more than 120 pounds,” she said. “Besides this, I’m built like an athlete and have scars all over my legs.”

Krause said what many people consider to be flaws can be fixed with some tricks if they really want to model.

“Makeup and the right clothes can do wonders for a person’s appearance, so what’s seen on the runway is by no means a true depiction of reality,” she said.